How to Compare Vehicle Safety

Compare safety features before buying a vehicle.

Common safety features on a car include front, side and head curtain airbags; stability control, ABS (anti-lock braking system), traction control and an alarm system. Some safety features are optional, so identify which features come with a vehicle before purchasing.

Resources

Use the Safercar website to review crash test ratings. The website reports crash test ratings and results supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You can review standard and optional safety features for the vehicle you are researching, along with front and side impact results and rollover ratings.

Considerations

Obviously, some vehicles are safer than others. Comparing a pickup truck against a midsize sedan will show very different results, as pickup trucks generally have a higher risk of rollover. Before comparing safety features, make sure you are comparing in the same classes, which you can choose as an option on the Safercar website.

Benefits

Not only will a safer vehicle help keep you and your family protected in the event of an accident, you can also save money on your car insurance. If you have narrowed your search and found similarly safe models, check with your insurance provider for a quote to help you make a decision.

Resources

• Safercar